Carlene Ann Higley

Saturday, May 23, 2020 3:00 AM

Carlene Ann Higley, 80, of Franklin, Tenn., passed away on Monday, May 18, 2020. Carlene was born in Menominee, Mich., in 1939, and was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Wilma Fernstrum and her brother Peter (Mary) Fernstrum.
Carlene is a graduate of Menominee High School and earned her bachelors degree in English from Alma College in Alma, Mich. She married Ferris Saxton of Midland, Mich., in 1960 and they had five children. Ferris preceded her in death in 2006. Carlene had a servants heart. She began her career after college as a schoolteacher. She was incredibly artistic and the ultimate fashionista, later owning a clothing boutique of her own in Menominee. Carlene met her current husband Charles Higley in 2014 and they married in November 2015 at Franklin First Presbyterian Church where they were both members. Carlene served as a Stephen Minister at the church, sang in the choir and helped Charles volunteer during their Wednesday night services. She also served at Room in the Inn.
Carlene is survived by her husband Charles Higley; children: Shelly (Don) Workman of Franklin, Tenn., Jeffrey (Debi) Saxton of Tampa, Fla., Eric (Katy) Saxton of Green Bay, Wis., Lisa (Jim) Cross of Brookfield, Wis., and Melinda (Ward) Brown of Franklin, Tenn. Also surviving is Carlene’s stepdaughter, Julia (Ryan) Richmond of Murfreesboro, Tenn. Carlene also has multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A visitation is scheduled at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home on Sunday, June 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. A private service for the family will be held afterward.
Special thanks are given to the staff at NHC Cool Springs for their care of Carlene. Donations can be made in her memory to Alzheimer’s Tennessee.